“I would love that.”
When she again bends, before bringing the toolbox up from under my bed, and grins at me, I chuckle.
“When did you wake up today?” I stand next to her and check the battery in the drill. “Where should we hang it?”
“I know the perfect place.”
My heart jackknifes in my chest, as she points to the wall facing my bed. Her hand positioned where I’d put Melanie’s picture in our previous home. Every time I enter this room, my gaze lands automatically on the bare wall.
“I want to tell you, Dad, that there are other people who love you, who want you to be happy.” She peeks at me from under her lashes.
Her wise words hit home. They make me see the love and friendship around me, which I’d taken for granted all these years.
“This is the best gift, Mere.”
* * *
I stand at the altar with Mere, who is dressed in a tuxedo and pink tie. She outright denied Clementine’s request to be her bridesmaid. Instead, my daughter is standing by my side as my best woman. On my other side is the minister. Afternoon sun hits my face under a wooden arbor decorated with white wildflowers.
My parents are sitting in the first row on the groom’s side, followed by the guys seated in the next row. Clementine’s side is filled with her gram, her mother--whose presence was dubious but nonetheless a happy surprise--Florence with her husband, Nick, and Kristy along with the kids in their family. The second row on the bride’s side is taken up by the Teagers.
The pianist starts the music and Clementine saunters out with Oscar. She isn’t wearing traditional white but a beige-colored gown. My lips purse in a smile.
What else did I expect? She isn’t one to follow convention.
She blows me a kiss and gives Mere a thumbs-up, causing everyone to laugh. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined my life could again be filled with such laughter and happiness.
Oscar pecks his sister’s cheeks and shakes my hand before settling on a chair next to his wife.
“You look very dashing, Mr. Adams.” Clem gives me a heart-stopping smile, straightening my pocket square she embroidered herself.
“Thank you. Though I can’t take any credit. This suit was picked by my lovely bride. I just brought the pretty face.”
“That’s what I’m here for, your pretty face and the beautiful heart behind it.”
“Oh my God! You guys are too cheesy.” Mere snickers as the minister smiles and starts the ceremony.
“I’m so happy to see you smiling, Keith.” My mom kisses my cheek before hugging Clementine. She is teary-eyed when she pulls away from my bride. “Thank you so much for saving our son.” Mom holds Clementine’s hand in a tight grip.
“You’re making me sound like some crackpot,” I joke, which makes my mother smile and cry at the same time.
She hides her face in my dad’s chest, who side-hugs me and presses a kiss to Clem’s forehead. “Welcome to the family, dear.”
We are still chatting with the guests, receiving congratulations, when Kristy taps on our shoulders. “Excuse me, newlyweds. It’s cake time.”
“Wow!” On top of a two-tiered purple cake, sits a cake topper with a silhouette of a couple, complete with a girl and a cat. “Did you ask her to do this?” I whisper to Clem.
“No. But it’s perfect.” Tears sparkle in her eyes as she mouths a thank you to Hope Teager, the eminent baker.
I grab the knife and place Clem’s hand over mine. “Ready, wife?”
Smiling ear to ear, she gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “As ready as I’ll ever be, husband.”
As we cut the cake, my heart flounders and I close my eyes. I thank all the powers out there, for showing me to this day.
Clem picks up a small piece of cake and puts it in my mouth. “This is forever, Keith.”
“Forever,” I repeat before kissing her. Not caring about anything but the happiness that was out of reach for so long but is now welcoming me with outstretched arms.
* * *